Natural Paths
November 14, 2009
Herb of the Week
White Willow Bark - Salix alba 
Greetings!
 
White Willow Bark
is "Nature's Aspirin". I remember a product from my youth called "willoprin" - tablets made of powdered white willow bark and slippery elm. I carried the little metal box with me always and took the tablets when others would have taken aspirin. Now I make the tablets (see recipe below).
 
The bark contains Salicin and Tannin. White Willow is actually used to heal digestive tract debilities, so it is not an ulcer inducing compound like regular aspirin is (which is synthesized from the medium of the bark). It can be used for pain and inflammation relief for people, horses and dogs but never for cats. Just as aspirin tablets can be deadly for the feline; white willow bark's salicin is contraindicated!
 
Horses can be fed the cut and sifted bark (1/4 cup per feeding) or powdered (2 tablespoons) mixed into the hard feed or mash. It will test at competitions, so be aware if you are a show rider. Many herbs are not allowed at equine competitions; they are considered a performance enhancer even though they are used as healing agents.
 
Dogs can be given the tablets - from 1/2 to 2 tabs every 12 hours depending upon weight.
 
People take the tablets at the same doses and rates as regular OTC aspirin tablets. The recipe below makes a pill that contains from 275 to 325 mg. of active compounds. You can also buy White Willow Bark capsules or cap the powder yourself for dog and human use.
 
Recipe:
  1. Mix one cup White Willow Bark powder with 3/4 cup Slippery Elm Bark powder.
  2. Add enough Vegetable Glycerin to make a thick, clay like paste (amount varies depending upon the dryness and consistency of the powders - just add a teaspoon at a time while mixing), kneading constantly.
  3. Roll out the paste into "ropes" about the thickness of a finger and slice while moist into tabs of 1/8 inch thickness (they shrink as they dry). Place on wax paper in a very warm, dry place (do not "cook", they will lose potency and crumble).
  4. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months (aspirin smells like vinegar when it expires, the white willow does not change).
 

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The FDA has not approved these statements.
We have had much success with simple herbs like White Willow.
Remember, the body knows how to heal itself. Work to detox so that organs can function properly; add nutrition to build proper systems and provide herbs according to the Wisdom Way, as nourishment for the body's innate, natural healing.
 
Katharine Chrisley - [email protected]
Jerry Crenshaw - [email protected]
Natural Paths
P O Box 1882
Mesilla Park, New Mexico 88047